Platform-ladder.



PATENTED MAR. 21, 1905.

D. A. SOX. PLATFORM LADDER. APPLICATION FILED 00128. 1903.

Dafid A. 50x

Patented March 21, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID A. SOX, OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

PLATFORM-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 785,335, dated March 21, 1905.

Application filed October 28, 1903. Serial No.178,887. l

To a whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID A. SoX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Atlanta, in the county of Fulton and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Platform-Ladder, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to an improved platform-ladder specially adapted for the use of painters, paper-hangers, decorators, electricsimplicity, durability, and general efiiciency.

With these ends in view the invention consists in the lmproved construct1on,-arrange ment, and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view showing my improved platform-ladder extended for use. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the same folded, a part of the lower end of the frame and ladder having been broken away.

Corresponding parts in both figures are indicated by like characters of reference.

1 designates a frame composed of side pieces 2 2, converging slightly toward their upper ends and connected at their upper and near their lower ends by transverse braces, (designated, respectively, 3 and 4.) An additional intermediate brace 5 is secured to the edges of the side members 2 2.

6 designates a ladder composed of side members 7 7 connected by steps or rungs 8. The side members 6 of the ladder are disposed adjacent to the inner sides of the side members 2 2 of the frame, with which they have pivotal connection by means of a transverse rod 9, which forms one of the rungs or steps of the ladder. The upper ends of the side members of the ladder are connected by a brace 10, having a beveled or inclined upper edge 11.

12 designates a platform which is connected, by means of a hinge 13, with the cross-brace 3 at the upper end of the frame 1 in such a manner as to be capable of being folded flat against the said frame, or, properly speaking, against the cross-brace 5 of the latter, the ladder being folded between the side members of said frame and abutting upon the opposite side of said cross-brace, as will be seen in Fig. 2- of the drawings. The platform 12 is provided with an approximately semicircular opening 14 in one edge thereof, which when the ladder is extended to the position shown in Fig. 1 shall enable the workman ascending the ladder tostep without difficulty upon the said platform and without danger of overbalancing and upsetting the device. The device is retained in its extended position by the beveled cross-piece 10 at the upper end of the ladder engaging one of a series of teeth or projections 15 ,upon the under side of the platform. These teeth or projections may take the shape of a ratchet-bar, as shown at 16 in Fig. 2 of the drawings, said bar being secured upon the under side of the platform by screws 17 or other suitable fasteningv means.

The operation and advantages of this invention will be readily understood.

The device may be constructed in an extremely light manner, and yet be possessed of ample strength-to resist any strain to which it may be subjected. When folded, it 00011- pies but little space. When extended, as shown in Fig. 1, the operator may move for a considerable distance upon the platform without the slightest danger of upsetting. The convenience of this will be readily appreciated by all artisans or workmen whose duties compel them to work in an elevated position. This device is far safer, handier, and more effective than ordinary scaffolding, and it may be moved from one place to another with much greater facility. In fact, it combines in a single device all the advantages of an ordinary step-ladder and scaffolding.

Painters, decorators, and other,workmen who now frequently resort to the use of two step-ladders and a plank laid loosely thereon to form a scaifolding,.which is neither safe nor convenient, will in this improved device find a substitute which is in every way safer, handier, lighter, more easily moved, less expensive, and in every way superior.

Having thus describedrmy invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. A platform-ladder comprising a frame, a ladder disposed between and having pivotal connection with the side members of said frame, a platform hinged at the upper end of the frame, and means upon the under side of the platform for engaging a cross-brace at the upper end of the ladder to retain the same in a distended position with relation to the frame, one edge of the platform being provided with an opening located adjacent the ladder and of a size to admit of a person passing through said opening from the ladder to the top of the platform.

2. A platform-ladder comprising a pair of crossed frames which are pivotally connected at their point of crossing, one of said frames having rungs to constitute a ladder, and a platform hinged to one of the frames and having means for engagement with the other frame to support the frames when distended, said platform being provided with an opening located between the two frames and adjacent the ladder-frame and of a size to admit of a person passing therethrough from the ladder to the top of the platform.

3. A platform-ladder comprising a pair of crossed frames which are pivotally connected at their point of crossing, one of the frames having rungs to constitute a ladder, the latter frame being provided at its upper end with a cross-bar having a beveled upper side, and a platform hinged to the top of the other frame member and capable of resting upon the top of the ladder member, the under side of the platform'being provided with a longitudinal succession of ratchet-teeth for engagement with the beveled top of the cross-bar, and one side of the platform being provided with an edge opening located adjacent the ladder member and of a size and shape to admit of a per son passing therethrough from the ladder to the top of the platform.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aifixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DAVID A. 'SOX.

Witnesses:

J. P. INGLE, J. V. KELLER. 

